Madurai: Union Finance Minister and senior
Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday indicated that the UPA
alliance would also continue for the coming Tamil Nadu
Assembly elections due early next year.
"Our coalition started in 2004 (both in the state and
at the Centre)... we have completed six and half years. There
is no doubt that we will be able to do much more as we work
together," Mukherjee said.
UPA alliance, which was responsible for socio-economic
development of the country in the last six and half years,
would continue for the next three and a half years, he said
speaking at the marriage of Chief Minister and DMK President M
Karunanidhi`s grandson here.
At a glittering function held at the Tamukkam grounds,
Dayanidhi Alagiri, son of Union Minister M K Alagiri, got
married to Anusha, daughter of a Chennai-based lawyer.
The Chief Minister conducted `Seerthirutha Tirumanam`,
marriage performed according to one`s self-respect, rejecting
all traditional rites and rituals.
Mukherjee said in the coming years the alliance would be
able to do much more.
Describing the DMK chief as a "political patriarch of
this great country," Mukherjee praised him for his
contributions in the country`s social and political
transformation.
"I have great appreciation and respect for Karunanidhi
for leading all of us in this country," he said.
Karunanidhi said the presence of two senior Congress
leaders -- Mukherjee and Union Home Minister P Chidambaram --
and their speeches indicated "how strong and united" the
alliance has been between the two parties.
"The presence of Congressmen and DMK men indicated how
strong our alliance is," he said.
He said Mukherjee`s speech "indicated the strong
confidence and hope that this alliance should continue for the
prosperity and strength of this nation and Tamil Nadu."
Karunandihi recalled that in those days such weddings
(Seerthirutha Tirumanam) would attract only about 100 people.
Now thousands of people had gathered here,and this showed how
the concept of self-respect marriage system had spread far and
wide and became popular.
"I hope it will become more popular in the years to come,"
he said.
Describing his son and Union Chemicals and Fertilisers
Minister M.K.Alagiri as a sugarcane,he said he should be
"handled carefully."
"If you go on eating the sugarcane after finding the root
portion of it very sweet, carelessly,then you will cut
yourself (in tongue or lip) with the sharp blades of the grass
in the top portion of the cane,".
"We should use Alagiri to the extent possible," he said
without elaborating on the analogy.
PTI
Mukherjee said the very presence of a large number of
people, including actor Rajinikanth and distinguished
personalities from different walks of life at the function and
greetings sent by Prime Minister and AICC president speaks of
something that is very important regarding Karunanidhi`s
family and role it had played in public life.
Karunanidhi expressed happiness on being able to see all
his family members.
"I may not believe in God, but I do not know whether God
believed in me and had entrusted me, among other things, the
responsibility of this state. I got everything in my life
because of the love and affection of thousands of my
`Udanpirappu` (brothers and sisters of DMK party) and the
people who had gathered here," he said.
Karunandihi recalled that in those days such weddings
(Seerthirutha Tirumanam) would attract only about 100 people.
Now thousands of people had gathered here,and this showed how
the concept of self-respect marriage system had spread far and
wide and became popular.
"I hope it will become more popular in the years to come,"
he said.
Describing his son and Union Chemicals and Fertilisers
Minister M.K.Alagiri as a sugarcane,he said he should be
"handled carefully."
"If you go on eating the sugarcane after finding the root
portion of it very sweet, carelessly,then you will cut
yourself (in tongue or lip) with the sharp blades of the grass
in the top portion of the cane,".
"We should use Alagiri to the extent possible," he said
without elaborating on the analogy.
PTI
